Teresa Bryant For Legislative District 9: Candidate Profile

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County residents will be lining up at the polls for Election Day on Nov. 7, or early voting from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, where they will be voting for their chosen candidates.

Registered nurse and PhD Teresa Bryant is challenging incumbent Sam Gonzalez to represent Suffolk County's 9th Legislative District.

While she is not affiliated with a party, she is endorsed by the county's Republican and Conservative parties.

The 9th Legislative District is located in the western-central portion of Suffolk County, entirely situated within the Town of Islip.

It encompasses Central Islip, the eastern portion of Brentwood and a section of the Village of Islandia. This district is bounded roughly by Motor Parkway on the north, Fifth Avenue and Wicks Road in Brentwood on the west, New Hampshire Avenue along Candlewood Road and continuing east on the Southern State Parkway as the southern border and running along Broadway Avenue in Central Islip.

Patch reached out to both candidates to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Name

Teresa Bryant

How old will you be as of Election Day?

60

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://bryantforsuffolk.com

What city or town do you live in?

Central Islip

What office are you seeking?

Suffolk County Legislator

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Legislative District 9

Party affiliation

"BLANK" endorsed by Republican and Conservative Parties

Education

Registered Nurse ; PhD in Psychology (certified Psychology Today).

What is your occupation?

RN - 30+years; Mental Health experience, 40+ years. Also worked as Emergency Room Nurse at Stony Brook; School Nurse at Central Islip School District, 15 years.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Married 43 years to husband, Alex, a retired Suffolk County Correctional Officer. He currently works post retirement as security officer at Central Islip High School.

Three daughters: Na'Keya - Correctional Officer at Yaphank; Sha'Kiera- Nurse at Riverhead Jail; and Shekinah security officer at Hempstead School District.

Three grandsons: Jayden, 20; Kyri, 16; and Malachi, 13.

Fun Fact: Our family (Alex, Teresa,Na'Keya,Sha'Kiera and Shekinah) was recently featured as Champion Winners on Family Feud Television Show October 2023.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Appointed: Suffolk County DSS Medical Services Specialist; Suffolk County Notary Public.

Voluntary Public servant: Central Islip Civic Council Treasurer; Islip Town NAACP 3rd Vice President; Islip Town Rotary Club Literacy Chair; and Rotary International Gift of Life Director

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I watched the decline of communities under current elected officials in our local area. I have worked diligently as a public servant for over 40 years.

I am running to bring about change. As I recently stated in Newsday, "I have always been a go-getter. If there is a problem, I want to fix it. If there is a need, I want to fill it. If there is a goal, I want to reach it."

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Handling the safety and quality of life issues within our communities.

I intend on working collaboratively with town officials, civic groups, chambers of commerces and community leaders to assure our community needs are met by being an advocate and voice of reason.

We must change the narrative, community leader and community activist, I have experience with these entities and know how to work effectively with them. I will advocate for more training of our law enforcement to remain up to date with ever-changing policies and procedures. I will initiate ways to improve community /officer relations that will improve both officer and community safety.

I will advocate for much-needed infrastructure improvement regarding or sewer systems and clean drinking waters. I will address mental health, as I believe it is a gateway to poverty and homelessness. In addition, I will address the mental health crisis through advocacy, more support and possible funding available for more resources.

I am committed to small business sustainability and affordable housing, while keeping in mind we are a suburb. Beautification and preservation of our parkland and greenlands must be taken into consideration while addressing these issues.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?

We need a prudent and viable budget and appropriation of funds. Clean water is an issue and must be addressed. In order to do this, we must upgrade our sewer systems and take a closer look at our run off waterways.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?

Expansion and upgrading.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

I will take closer look at these issues and be an advocate to address their needs.

What is your stance on the current migrant situation affecting New York? And migrants were to be directed to shelters on Long Island, how would you prepare/plan for that?

It is important to address the migrant issues and NOT ignore it. This is outside my jurisdiction and level of control, as I feel this is a Federal Issue. However, I will verbalize the concerns of our community to elected officials.

It is important to maintain the safety of immigrants as well as the financial safety of our communities. As legal representation has been secured by Suffolk County, I believe the experts are equipped to make the best decisions that will best benefit both the immigrants and our communities at large.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have more community involvement and experience prior to election than other candidates and even the current legislator. I have been involved for over 40 yrs PRIOR without being an elected official. As an elected official, I will bring experience and wise council from a community perspective as well as proven leadership.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I have had the opportunity to speak with community leaders and residents while canvassing. Many agree that they have not seen any change and notice a great decline of our neighborhood. They are verbalizing their dissatisfaction of many unfulfilled promises by current incumbent.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Any issue that is prevalent during the time of my term.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

At the young age of 29, I had the opportunity to be the RN building supervisor at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center. It afforded me the opportunity to learn leadership techniques through effective strategies. Later as an ER Nurse and charge nurse in Level 1 Trauma center, I have proven that I am able to prioritize needs (triage a situation) as well as having the ability to make prudent decisions under pressure.

Additionally, I have been a successful business owner for many years. Starting a business strengthens ability to negotiate, troubleshoot, manage funds through budgeting. Additionally, conflict resolution is learned or enhanced through experience.

I believe these are some of the skills required to lead effectively and efficiently. I get along well with others even during disagreements, I have learned the benefits of agreeing without being disagreeable, which is an acquire skill necessary for effective decision-making.

Some see the glass as half full while others see it half empty. Decisions are made many times through negotiating and prioritizing what's really important without shifting our focus onto the minor issues that are disagreed upon.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Actions speak louder than words," my deceased mom said.

As a result, I am a woman of action. I am known to be "an agent of change".

A change is greatly needed in LD #9. I pray I am able to help bring about a change along with my constituents and community.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Your VOICE is important and must be heard!!!. I hope I can count on your vote November 7.